Help installing cpu cooler noctua nh-u12s !

venomx

venomx

venomx

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Trying to put the heatsink over the cpu and screw it in and it's gone horribly wrong.

I put the thermal paste on, tried to screw the heatsink in and I could only get one side to screw in and the other wouldn't go. So I unscrewed it and gently pulled it off to start again and the cpu was attached to the heatsink, so I pulled it off and cleaned it and now I'm stuck as to what to do

I have some cpu cleaning wipes so I used a tiny bit under the cpu where the gold connectors are and I've left it to dry
 
Have you definitely latched the CPU in with the lever?

What CPU is it?

Might be worth taking a photo of the socket and CPU as you may have bent a pin...

In future you should always twist a CPU cooler to assist with removal it stops this happening...

I'd expect the cpu cleaning wipes to be non-conductive.
 
Ryzen 5 3600

I've ran out of thermal paste and I've ordered some more . And yes it was latched in.
I manage to tighten one side but then the other side wouldn't go in and vice versa..
 
How much did you use? There looks to be thermal compound on the back of the CPU too...

No obvious broken pins so think you've been very lucky.

It may be worth trying to tighten it down without the CPU in the equation and see how you go...
 
Yeah the tube of thermal paste you get with the noctua coolers will do many applications! You can't have run out surely? In terms of mounting, you hold the heatsink with one hand, screw one side in a turn or two, then holding the heatsink, you use your other hand/screwdriver to push/compress the other screw/spring down onto the mounting bracket. It does take a little bit of force, but you just put enough force to get the other side to catch then you finsh off tightening both a few turns at a time until they bottom out.
 
Thanks guys. Whilst I wait for my thermal paste I'll practice getting thr screws in properly. And use less paste next time
 
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Ok I've practised and should be able to screw both sides in. Screw in the right side, then bit of pressure on the left and screw that one in... I hope my cpu and AM4 socket isn't damaged
 
Thanks dude yeah I've seen all the videos before I installed it. The trick seems to be only screw one side on very slightly then the other and keep alternating

Cpu and socket looks ok right ?

Here's my first two attempts, way too much paste I'm guessing?

 
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That paste is ok, maybe a smidge less but it’s not excessive and indeed, the trick is you don’t tighten one side down all the way, you just get it started, a turn or two at most.
 
VaderDSL said:
That paste is ok, maybe a smidge less but it’s not excessive and indeed, the trick is you don’t tighten one side down all the way, you just get it started, a turn or two at most.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude. I'm waiting for some thermal paste then hopefully give it a go. I've practiced a few times and I'm able to screw it on just fine. If only I'd practiced before putting the damn paste on :confused:

The pins on the cpu look intact , same as the AM4 socket. There seems to be a minuscule amount of paste in one of them tiny holes on the socket but when you look at it head on like in the picture it looks clear and nothing blocking it..

 
Is it ok to wiggle the heatsink around a little bit when screwing it in ? Obviously if you lift it off the cpu then you have to reapply thermal paste
 
yes that's fine and in all honesty if the heat sink comes off for a short time it'll be fine to go back on, the paste probably has enough work time as to not be ruined the second it comes into contact with air after a smoosh (there's no reaction that could cause this) :)
 
While you can re-used paste, I would scrape it all into middle of CPU again before remounting cooler. Even then air can get trapped in it. If air is trapped in TIM seat the heating / cooling of CPU expanding and contracting air bubble will "pump" TIM out and system will end up running hot.

I suggest practice mounting cooler several times with out TIM to know exactly where to set cooler and how to get both sides of mounting bar screws started before applying TIM. I always do this with 1st install of a cooler I haven't used before. Only takes a few minute and can save a lot of grief.

I use paper kitchen towel and isopropyl alcohol for cleaning. I cut paper towel into about 2-2.5" squares, and have waste bin handy. They wipe and put in bin. This gives TIM less of a chance to 'jump' out and get on other things. ;)
 
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Thanks guys appreciate the info.

I've tried 4 or 5 times and can now get the heatsink on perfect. Unfortunately none of the videos on youtube show how tricky it is. ( loosely tighten one side, then push down the other side and gently tighten it )

As long as the AM4 socket and cpu is ok then that's fine
 
There could be a tiny bit of thermal paste in one of the AM4 socket pin holes. You cant see it when looking straight at it, but if you look at an angle you can. Is that a problem? I tried using a pin to get it out and a brush designed for cleaning PCs with, without luck . As you can see on the picture all the pin holes look clear and ok
 
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